About the Project:

Pakistan Agricultural Technology Transfer Activity (PATTA) is a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded project designed to increase smallholder farmers’ access to markets, alongside their overall development impact and cost-effectiveness. Smallholders farmers in Pakistan use outdated and less effective technologies, leading to stagnant or dwindling productivity and returns, particularly in the horticulture and livestock sub-sectors. Because improved technologies that are affordable, impactful, and safe have not yet penetrated the vast smallholder market. PATTA will combat these challenges by galvanizing ongoing private-sector investment to commercialize the types of agricultural technologies that enable smallholders to increase their incomes, improve farm productivity, create jobs, and enhance economic growth and stability. These technologies include seeds, fertilizers, water pumps, improved plant and animal breeds, precision agriculture, and integrated soil fertility management, amongst others.

Position Description:

Working under the supervision of the program's Director of Business Development and Marketing Services, the Access to Finance Officer will be responsible for improving access to finance for smallholder farmers to access new agricultural technologies.

Job location: Islamabad, Pakistan

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

The main duties of the Access to Finance Officer are:

• Develop strong working relationships with key banks and MFIs, particularly with commercial Islamic banks and financial institutions committed to serving women and smallholders.
• Support banks and MFIs to develop financial services and products that benefit smallholders and increase women’s access to credit.
• Assist partners to identify and address gaps in business planning and improve their financial record-keeping and creditworthiness.
• Provide technical support for loan applications by partners seeking to expand their services and outreach to smallholders.
• Support technology firms and agrodealers to develop creative credit, leasing, and payment plans that benefit smallholders.
• Investigate the feasibility of incorporating mobile money into business plans of supply- and demand-side partners.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• At least seven years of relevant, professional experience in roles with increasing levels of responsibility required, 10+ years preferred;
• Minimum of Bachelors' degree required in Business Administration majors in Finance or Banking or other relevant field; master’s degree preferred;
• Experience supporting donor-funded projects is required, USAID experience preferred;
• Experience working in or with relevant public and private financial services institutions are strongly preferred;
• Strong interpersonal, communications, and leadership skills, especially in dealing with those from other countries;
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to details; and
• Fluency in English is required